The grayness of the origin of life

Hillary H. Smith; Andrew S. Hyde; Danielle N. Simkus; Eric Libby; Sarah E. Maurer; Heather V. Graham; Christopher P. Kempes; Barbara Sherwood Lollar; Luoth Chou; Andrew D. Ellington; G. Matthew Fricke; Peter R. Girguis; Natalie M. Grefenstette; Chad I. Pozarycki; Christopher H. House; Sarah Stewart Johnson

doi:10.3390/life11060498

The grayness of the origin of life

Hillary H. Smith, Andrew S. Hyde, Danielle N. Simkus, Eric Libby, Sarah E. Maurer, Heather V. Graham, Christopher P. Kempes, Barbara Sherwood Lollar, Luoth Chou, Andrew D. Ellington, G. Matthew Fricke, Peter R. Girguis, Natalie M. Grefenstette, Chad I. Pozarycki, Christopher H. House, Sarah Stewart Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the search for life beyond Earth, distinguishing the living from the non-living is paramount. However, this distinction is often elusive, as the origin of life is likely a stepwise evolutionary process, not a singular event. Regardless of the favored origin of life model, an inherent “grayness” blurs the theorized threshold defining life. Here, we explore the ambiguities between the biotic and the abiotic at the origin of life. The role of grayness extends into later transitions as well. By recognizing the limitations posed by grayness, life detection researchers will be better able to develop methods sensitive to prebiotic chemical systems and life with alternative biochemistries.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	498
Journal	Life
Volume	11
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/life11060498
State	Published - Jun 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Space and Planetary Science
Palaeontology

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10.3390/life11060498

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title = "The grayness of the origin of life",

abstract = "In the search for life beyond Earth, distinguishing the living from the non-living is paramount. However, this distinction is often elusive, as the origin of life is likely a stepwise evolutionary process, not a singular event. Regardless of the favored origin of life model, an inherent “grayness” blurs the theorized threshold defining life. Here, we explore the ambiguities between the biotic and the abiotic at the origin of life. The role of grayness extends into later transitions as well. By recognizing the limitations posed by grayness, life detection researchers will be better able to develop methods sensitive to prebiotic chemical systems and life with alternative biochemistries.",

author = "Smith, {Hillary H.} and Hyde, {Andrew S.} and Simkus, {Danielle N.} and Eric Libby and Maurer, {Sarah E.} and Graham, {Heather V.} and Kempes, {Christopher P.} and Lollar, {Barbara Sherwood} and Luoth Chou and Ellington, {Andrew D.} and Fricke, {G. Matthew} and Girguis, {Peter R.} and Grefenstette, {Natalie M.} and Pozarycki, {Chad I.} and House, {Christopher H.} and Johnson, {Sarah Stewart}",

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AU - Graham, Heather V.

AU - Kempes, Christopher P.

AU - Lollar, Barbara Sherwood

AU - Chou, Luoth

AU - Ellington, Andrew D.

AU - Fricke, G. Matthew

AU - Girguis, Peter R.

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AU - Johnson, Sarah Stewart

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AB - In the search for life beyond Earth, distinguishing the living from the non-living is paramount. However, this distinction is often elusive, as the origin of life is likely a stepwise evolutionary process, not a singular event. Regardless of the favored origin of life model, an inherent “grayness” blurs the theorized threshold defining life. Here, we explore the ambiguities between the biotic and the abiotic at the origin of life. The role of grayness extends into later transitions as well. By recognizing the limitations posed by grayness, life detection researchers will be better able to develop methods sensitive to prebiotic chemical systems and life with alternative biochemistries.

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The grayness of the origin of life

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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